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Chase DeLauter Still Absent on Tuesday
Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (wrist) remains absent from the team's starting lineup on Tuesday on the road against the Baltimore Orioles, per MLB.com. Angel Martinez will get another start in right field and will bat sixth versus Orioles right-hander Brandon Young. It will be DeLauter's fourth straight game on the bench with a right-wrist sprain that he suffered late last week. The Guardians are not expecting DeLauter to land on the injured list, but if his absence continues, they could change their stance. His next chance to play will be in Wednesday's series finale against Baltimore, but with a scheduled day off coming on Thursday, it is more realistic that we will not see him again until Friday's series opener versus the division-rival Minnesota Twins on the road at Target Field. The 24-year-old former first-rounder from James Madison University has been a consistent offensive producer in Cleveland in 2026 when he has been healthy, hitting .294 (131-for-445) with 13 long balls, 60 RBI, 56 runs scored, and 10 steals across his 120 games and 499 plate appearances. DeLauter is rostered in 64% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Seth McGowan Requires Patience in Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan is more of a bench swing than somebody fantasy managers should expect to use anytime soon. The seventh-round rookie made the 53-man roster after rushing for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns at Kentucky last season, and the Colts liked the physicality he showed throughout the preseason. There is still somebody in his way before Jonathan Taylor, though. Indianapolis currently lists DJ Giddens second on the depth chart and McGowan third, leaving the rookie without much of a standalone role heading into Week 1. The good news is that the Colts kept only three running backs on the active roster, so an injury could change things quickly. McGowan is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues and sits in the 14-team range on the current waiver list. That's where he belongs for now. Deep benches can take the shot, but managers in standard leagues do not need to force it.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Arch Manning Faces Stiff Test in Week 2 Showdown
Texas quarterback Arch Manning will get his first big test of the season when facing top-ranked Ohio State in Week 2. Manning was pretty good in Week 1 against Texas State, completing 20-of-27 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns, but he was picked off once. Manning only rushed for six yards on three attempts. Ohio State dominated Ball State in a 56-3 drubbing in Week 1. The Buckeyes allowed just 165 total yards of offense, while also forcing a turnover. Texas' offense will provide a much tougher test, and Manning will need to put forth a good showing to help the Longhorns win. The QB might use his legs a bit more against a much more formidable defense. For one of the few times this season, fantasy owners should temper expectations with Manning, but he should still be started in all leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sione Vaki Has a Path to Week 1 Touches
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki has a little more life as a deep-league stash with Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve. Dan Campbell said Vaki and Jacob Saylors will split the No. 2 role behind Jahmyr Gibbs against New Orleans, so there is no clean handcuff here. Still, Vaki has earned some trust. Campbell liked the progress he made as both a runner and pass catcher during camp and said he is comfortable using him when Gibbs needs a breather. The problem is we have barely seen Vaki on offense in the NFL. He has seven career carries for 18 yards and three catches for 37 yards, while Saylors is going to get work too. Vaki is rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues and sits in the 14-team PPR range on the current waiver list. That makes him more of a cheap bench swing than someone to start in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jac Caglianone Still Out With Elbow Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (elbow) remains sidelined with an elbow injury on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Kauffman Stadium, according to MLB.com. Matthew Lugo is making the start in right field for the Royals and will bat eighth against Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow), who is making his 2026 debut. This will be Caglianone's third straight missed start due to a flexor strain in his left elbow. His next chance to play will be in Wednesday's series finale against Arizona, but with an off day coming on Thursday, the Royals might hold the left-handed slugger out until Friday's series opener at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. It is bad timing for Caglianone to be banged up with the fantasy playoffs starting in many leagues this week. After a slow start in 2026, the former sixth overall pick from Florida has taken off and is now sporting 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, six steals, and a .283/.331/.494 slash line in 474 at-bats. When he returns to the Royals' lineup, he will be a must-start for his left-handed power.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Titans D/ST Makes Sense as a Week 1 Rental
The Tennessee Titans D/ST is a pretty easy streaming target if you came out of your draft without a defense you trust. Tennessee gets the Jets at home, and Geno Smith is coming off a season in which he threw a league-high 17 interceptions and took 55 sacks. That gives this unit a real shot at getting home for a few splash plays, especially with Jeffery Simmons coming off an 11-sack season. The Titans were not a great fantasy defense in 2025 and forced only six interceptions as a team, so there is some risk here. Cedric Gray is also in the concussion protocol after a UTV accident, which is worth watching during the week. Still, the current Week 1 rankings have Tennessee ninth among D/STs, while the Jets carry an implied total of just 18.5 points. This is a one-week stream more than a hold, with Philadelphia waiting in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Judge Hitting Third, Starting in Right Field in Return
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) is starting in right field and batting third in his return on Tuesday against the visiting Colorado Rockies and right-hander Gabriel Hughes, according to MLB.com. It will be Judge's first major-league game since the end of May, when he suffered a stress fracture in a rib on his right side. Because he did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the 60-day injured list on Monday, manager Aaron Boone plans to ease the three-time MVP back into the fold, so fantasy managers should expect some early exits and frequent days off. It has been a disappointing 2026 season overall for the 34-year-old veteran, but he has returned at the right time and can help fantasy managers during the postseason. Judge is returning to a .248/.375/.533 slash line with a .907 OPS, 17 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases across his first 214 at-bats this year. He has never faced Hughes in his major-league career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Isaiah Davis Takes Part in RB Drills on Tuesday
New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis (knee) is taking part in RB drills at practice on Tuesday, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday Sports. Davis missed the entire preseason because of his knee injury and is expected to open the 2026 campaign as the RB3 in New York behind Breece Hall (groin) and Braelon Allen if he is healthy enough to suit up for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. That role will not make Davis very appealing to fantasy managers in any league format to start the new season. The 24-year-old former fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft out of South Dakota State has averaged a healthy 5.6 yards per carry in his first two NFL seasons, but it has amounted to only 73 carries for 410 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in 33 games (zero starts). Davis has added 30 receptions for 261 yards and another score through the air. Davis needs Hall to miss time with an injury to become a waiver-wire target. We will have a better idea of Davis' Week 1 status once the Jets begin to release their official practice reports on Wednesday.
Source: Newsday Sports - Al Iannazzone
Source: Newsday Sports - Al Iannazzone
Kamario Taylor Faces First Test In Week 2
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor faces his first real test of the 2026 campaign on the road against Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. The Sophomore quarterback demonstrated his ability to take over a game in Week 1 against ULM when he finished as the QB2, scoring 42.06 fantasy points. Taylor completed 64% of his 34 pass attempts for 354 yards and four touchdowns while adding 59 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He'll face a much tougher defense in Week 2 when he heads north to face the Golden Gophers. Last season, the Gophers were an above-average pass defense, allowing only 210.5 yards per game and 22.9 points per game. The defense features future NFL edge rusher Anthony Smith, who could make Taylor's day a long one. Taylor is ranked as RotoBaller's QB2 this week and is projected for 33.3 points.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Pat Freiermuth Not Worth Chasing Before Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is still easy to find on waiver wires, but Week 1 is not the spot to get cute. He caught 41 passes for 486 yards and four touchdowns on 54 targets last season, and while Jonnu Smith is gone, Pittsburgh added Michael Pittman Jr. to a group that already includes DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson. Freiermuth is still the starting tight end, so there is at least a path to more work than he saw in 2025. The matchup is the problem. Atlanta allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends last season, and the current Week 1 rankings have Freiermuth at TE25. He is rostered in only 6% of Yahoo leagues and is best viewed as a 14-team option for now. In a 10- or 12-team league, there are better tight ends to chase before Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Willson Contreras Takes Batting Practice on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) is taking on-field batting practice on Tuesday, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Contreras is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list on Thursday, but it is to be determined whether the Red Sox will send him on a minor-league rehab assignment first. The 34-year-old veteran Venezuelan could return to Boston's starting nine as early as Friday if he skips a rehab assignment after dealing with a strained left hamstring late last month. Contreras will go back to must-start status in all fantasy leagues when he returns, as he is in the midst of a career year in his first season in Beantown. The former catcher will return to a .274/.384/.516 slash line with a .900 OPS, 26 home runs, 79 RBI, 66 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his 434 at-bats in 2026. The four-time All-Star hit only .217 (18-for-83) in the month of August, though, with three homers, three doubles, a triple, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, 11 walks, and 26 strikeouts. With better health, Contreras could turn it around and finish his 2026 season strong in the fantasy playoffs.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Tyler Allgeier Gets a Boost From Cardinals Depth Chart
Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier has picked up some real short-term value heading into Week 1. Arizona's current depth chart lists him first at running back, ahead of rookie Jeremiyah Love, while James Conner will open the season on injured reserve. The ordering alone should not be treated like a permanent changing of the guard. The Cardinals said during the preseason not to make too much of Love being listed behind Allgeier, and Love was the No. 3 overall pick for a reason. The timing matters now, though. Love has not practiced since injuring his ankle on Aug. 13, although he was moving around during Monday's walk-through and head coach Mike LaFleur said he feels good about his chances of playing against the Chargers. Allgeier already has a 1,000-yard season on his résumé and scored a career-high eight rushing touchdowns last year. Even if Love is active Sunday, Allgeier looks much harder to dismiss as an early-season fantasy option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
No Clear RB1 in Jacksonville?
Sports Illustrated's John Shipley thinks that the Jacksonville Jaguars will have such a balanced backfield between running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. in 2026 that "neither RB emerges as the lead back and hits the 1,000-yard mark." There is a path for one of Tuten or Rodriguez to hit the 1,000-yard mark if one of them gets momentum early in the year and never lets up, but when considering the team's backfield depth with LeQuint Allen Jr. (undisclosed) and Ameer Abdullah, Shipley thinks it is more likely that we see both Tuten and Rodriguez hit 750-plus yards than one of them going over 1,000 yards. It is not what Tuten's fantasy managers want to hear, especially since C-Rod appears to be the better pass-catcher, and he could also vulture touchdowns from Tuten at the goal line. If you have Tuten rostered and Rodriguez is on the waiver wire, you should add Rodriguez as a valuable handcuff. If it is a near-even 50/50 split between the two RBs, it will be hard to recommend either as more than a weekly RB3/flex play in the Jaguars' offense. On the unofficial depth chart heading into the Week 1 clash against the Cleveland Browns, the Jags have listed Tuten and Rodriguez as co-starters.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Can Faizon Brandon Build On Historic Debut?
Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon dominated Furman in Week 1, completing 76% of his passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing 10 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns. The freshman became the first SEC quarterback since Cam Newton to throw for three touchdowns and rush for two touchdowns in a debut game. The historic effort made Faizon QB3 in Week 1, scoring 39.84 fantasy points. Week 2 will be a tougher matchup as Tennessee faces Georgia Tech, which allowed 235 passing yards per game and 25 points per game last season. However, Georgia Tech dominated Colorado in Week 1, holding them to 124 passing yards and the second-worst completion rate across college football in Week 1. Faizon is ranked as RotoBaller's QB10 heading into Week 2 and is projected to score 27.4 points. Fantasy owners should feel confident rolling out Faizon as a QB1 in Week 2.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jeremiyah Love Listed as RB2 on Cardinals' Depth Chart
The Arizona Cardinals have listed rookie first-round running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) as the RB2 on their unofficial depth chart entering their Week 1 contest on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Bo Brack of PHNX Sports. The No. 3 overall pick in April from Notre Dame has clear three-down potential long-term in the NFL, but after suffering an ankle sprain early in the preseason, the Cardinals are going to ease Love into the regular season as the No. 2 behind Tyler Allgeier, who is in his first year in the desert. Trey Benson (knee) has already been ruled out for the season, and veteran James Conner (foot) will miss at least the first four games of the year due to a foot injury he suffered early in 2025. Love is trending in the right direction to be active this weekend against the Bolts, but he seems likely to cede most of the backfield work to Allgeier in his NFL debut if he is active, making him more of a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex choice for starting lineups on Sunday. Fantasy managers might have to be patient with Love early in his rookie season.
Source: PHNX Sports - Bo Brack
Source: PHNX Sports - Bo Brack
